The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-09

Inc impression now prevails at Lne Navy
Department that nothing will be done In the
case of Capt. Selfridge. 1t is difficult to say
just what diplomatic complications will arise
If Capt Selfrldge is exone=ated II is known
that Rear Admiral Chandler, commanding
the ASiatic station, assured the Japanese
government that the United States would in
demnify the families OF its subjects who were
killed by the explosion OF shells fred from
the Omaha by the order OF Capt. Selfridge.
French spoliation Claims.
The decision rendered by Judge Davis Of
the Court Of Claims in the French spoliation
cases Is one Of great Importance TO the claim
ants. IL appears to overrule the last Of the
leading arguments which have been present
ed by the Assistant Attorney General for
the United States, Mr.. Wilson, against the
participation of large class Of claimants in
the award. One Of the strongest points sub
mitted by Mr.. Wilson was that the posses
sion by an American merchant vessel Of an
armament OF letter OF marque authorized
the condemnation Of that vessel by the prize
tribunals of France. This objection over
rules, as it does that other one Of not less inn
portance, that the West Indies were block
AIDED ports, and that American vessels going
to them did so at their risks, and by doing so
became legitimate subjects of prize. The
court, in short, has decided all the important
points in favor Of the claimants, and the
obstacles which the lawyer representing the
government has for two years interp0sed to
the payment Of these claims have now in
turn all been 0verruled. The delay occa-
stoned by the long consideration of these OBJ
jccts has postponed the final adjudication Of
these cases for at least one year.
Villas and the Law.
The Postmaster Generals rigid enforce
ment of the postal regulations has called
forth numerous complaints from many Of
the large business houses in Boston, New
York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago and
other large cities that have been in the habit
Of sending second. third and fourth-class
matter through the United States mails with
their business advertised on the outside.
In the third assistants division of the
Post Office Department there is a large pile
Of matter which is held for inadequate post
age, which, prior to the construction placed
upon the regulations by Postmaster General
Villas, passed through the mails unmOlested.
Gen. Vilas holds that under the strict inter-
probation OF the law, merchants and the
public generally are not permitted to display
their names or business addresses. either
printed or written, on any mail matter. ex-
cept upon which the full letter rate of post
age Is paid.
In one instance bookseller in New York
made a sale to customer residing in New
Orleans, and the books were mailed as third
class matter. In addition to the name and
post Office address of the purchaser, the
dealer marked ''printed matter with a pen
in one corner of the package. Acting
unker the instructions of the department.
the postmaster charged full letter rates for
the package, which the purchaser refused to
pay.
There were number Of similar cases for
warded to the department as samples Of the
hardships under which the business COM
munities suffer in this connection. Many
persons who have patent tags and labels for
marking packages have affixed their names
to the same, and it is claimed that the loss
will be exceedingly heavy unless they are
permitted to use them.
In this case the postmaster-general has de-
cided that such tags and labels may be used
on mail matter below class one, provided
that all traces Of anything resembling a
business advertisement are abliterated. Gen.
Villas claims that he Is obliged to enforce the
law as he finds 1t. and that any redress in
this connection must come from Congress.
He will lay the subject before the President
in his annual report on the postal affairs Of |
the government.
Maine interests.
The following Maine pensions were grant
on Tuesday:
VIM. A. Goodale Clinton.
INCREASE.
Clinton Lincoln, Freeport.
Bingham Edgerly, Newport.
Levi Roberts, Monroe.
REISSUE AND INCREASE.
Rollins Hammons, Dickyale.
The following Maine patents were granted
to-day:
Joseph Blakenery, Benton. nut lock.
Luther Bryant, Maple Grove, ratchet wrench.
Arthur M. Burnham, Gardiner, pan litter and
burner
Virgil Crockett, Dexter, double scanning ma
chine.
Samuel c. Hamilton, Jr., Biddeiord, lumber
rules.
Henry r. stickney, Portland. can filling ma